Waiting on Jesus

Waiting on Jesus
December 24, 2011

This year has been a big blur. It seems as if it’s only been a few weeks long, yet I hardly remember any of it. How can time past this fast without me knowing it? Does this have to do with my age? Is this what I have to look forward to from now on?...years passing by in a matter of minutes? I woke up this morning and realized that I have been living with a teenager for almost a year now. (This could explain some of the blur?) This year we celebrated our firstborns 13th birthday! Is this possible? And my baby? Well, the last time I gave birth was 10 years ago. So, there is no longer a baby in this house. What in the world has happened here? This just can’t be right. And both these boys cause us to be filled with wonder and swell full of proud joy and I hold tight to the precious moments flying by. Savoring every moment I can.

A friend said to me at the beginning of this year, “2011 has got to be better for your family than 2010”. And a couple of days later, I got a terrifying phone call from Jeff- breathless and voice waning, I heard the words, “I crashed and it’s bad”. Knowing that he was at a motocross track that day with a friend and aware of his history of making jumps on his motorcycle that take my breath away, I imagined the worse. After hospitals, surgery and weeks of rehab, though it was tough, I’m so thankful that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. But this was only January. What would February bring? To my shock and surprise, just shortly after Jeff’s accident, I got another phone call. This time, a phone call bringing the best news ever! Now I was hearing the words, “you have a daughter!" These are words we had waited to hear for a couple of years now. We finally have our Bella. Little did we know what was in store for us next.

After receiving an estimated time-frame of when paper work would be approved and travel would be possible we braced ourselves for a wild summer including a trip to India to bring our long awaited child home. In the meantime, we watched miracle after miracle unfold. The LORD began weaving different people into our story and we watched prayers being answered left and right. From bringing long sought out translators for Bella’s specific language that no one had heard about around here… to friends taking trips to visit our daughter with updates, pictures and videos...to God bringing in over $30,000 to meet our outrageous adoption costs to travel to pick up our girl. He was moving mountains and we were getting excited! Sweet friends showered us in June to help us with the many needed things to bring home a daughter while mom and I prepared a wonderland of a pink room for her and a place to forever call home.

And it all came to a screeching halt when summer came and went and we still had no daughter at home. We were given news that there were delays in India and paper work was not moving and it could be months. So, beginning in August we walked into a different kind of season of waiting. One that would bring so much heartache and hurt, one that would bring me to the end of myself and force to me to fix my eyes on Jesus alone. Waiting day after day, month after month, now no longer to hear words that speak, “we have a daughter”, but ones that bear news that we can “go get our daughter”. Knowing that we weren’t the only ones now waiting on this news, but that on the other side of the world waited another who longed for her mama and daddy to bring her home. This is now a longing and yearning so strong, that I eagerly awake every morning- before eyes even open - and reach for my phone to check for news that will bring two worlds together.

Yet we still we wait. But I know waiting is never in vain. God is teaching me even now as our family has transitioned into this Advent season and we have been reflecting on biblical History. “Advent.” The word comes from a Latin term that means “ toward the coming." I’ve been reminded of many others who long waited, yet did not wait in vain. Noah waited for the rains of salvation, Abraham waited to be the father of many nations, the Israelites waited for the Promise Land, David for a kingly throne as a young man and the list goes on and on. Ultimately they were all a part of a people who waited generation after generation for a LONG awaited and prophesied Messiah. A lineage of people who’s longing and yearning gave birth to the One who was to come. Jesus, the one in whom we now rejoice. Let’s face it…. waiting is very hard, and in a culture that has no patience to wait on anything, we as the Bride of Christ, now find ourselves waiting like the saints of old once again. Paul tells us, we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons. Romans 8:23

It’s no coincidence this time of observing Advent has caused me to shift my focus of waiting on Bella, to a focus on my waiting of my own adoption. So many similarities. Am I just as eager each morning that I wake up to hear news of our daughter to anticipate also the coming of the One who will soon come back for me? Even now He too is preparing a home for us. Jesus says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20. It’s so easy to eagerly anticipate the glittery things this season brings. But I wonder if we are eagerly waiting on Jesus for His return? He is coming again…..and this begs the question, “are we ready”? What if each morning we awake with eager expectation of a new day with the possible coming of a returning King? To be sure, some have grown weary and have even fallen asleep and we may question why He delays. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Waiting on the Lord is never in vain. Our waiting on Bella has not been in vain. As the end of this year draws to a close, I’ll not only be eagerly waiting on our daughter, I’ll be eagerly anticipating the One “toward the coming”. I’ll be waiting on Jesus. Ready for His return.

Merry Christmas!

The Wilbanks

Waiting on Bella to come HOME!

Nothing

No updates
No changes
No Bella
Nothing

So many of you continue to ask about updates on our approval to go and get Bella. And we don't have any. In Sept, CARA in India asked for another 3 months to finish backlogged paper work for 550 families and they told us they would have them all completed by Dec. 31st. We were hopeful we'd know something by Thanksgiving and as that time quickly disappeared I have been clinging on to a Christmas surprise. But as of today, we've been told that there has been no updates from CARA to our orphanage on our paperwork.

We know that God won't be one second late on His plan for our daughter to come home. However, honestly, that just flat out doesn't erase the hurt and the ache I feel in my heart over my little girl. As if the first two years waiting on a referral weren't hard enough....it's almost been a whole year since we were matched with our precious girl.... and it's almost unbearable that we've still not gotten approval so that we can bring her home.

So, until then, we continue to eagerly and expectantly WAIT.... and PRAY.... and HOPE daily that some good news will come soon.

Another Beautiful Adoption Story

The Stewarts from Together for Adoption on Vimeo.

An UPDATE!!!

Friends,

We have waited for for 4 months to even get word that India has received our paper work and today that was confirmed! I believe this is evidence of answered prayers! So, the good news is, they have received our paper work and have reviewed it! But there is also bad news. They are requesting 3 additional documents. I can put those together fairly quickly, run them down to Montgomery to have them apostilled and mail them off for India by Wednesday. But these are more delays that can affect us by weeks!

Although India wants hard copies of these documents.....a copy of them can also be received via email in the mean time. (hoping that is a benefit to us!) So, at this point when India receives our additional paper this could go a couple of different ways. We could go back to the bottom of the 550 cases, or be at the top waiting to be approved.....or some other weirdness in between those two options. But, I'm so encouraged that there is some movement here! At the same time, the enemy is still hard at work on our family and has still not let up on me in regards to my health. So, I'm asking you....for those of you that have entered into the battle with us, to keep fighting for us in prayer! Keep asking God for the things that seem impossible and the miracles we need to get this baby girl home!

Lastly, another blogger friend sent this post to me as a way of encouragement tonight and I can't tell you just how much of an encouragement it was. (thank YOU Meredith!!) It documents my EXACT THOUGHTS and FEELINGS on this adoption and the battle that we are in and our desire to fight for our child to come home. Please consider reading this. It is SO SO good!

Till she comes home,

Warfare Prayers and a Miracle

Friends,

We are in need of your prayers. Let me update you and tell you why.

Our papers for Bella went for approval to New Delhi in June this summer. At that time we were told we would received approval in about 15-30 days to which the papers would then be forwarded on to the state courts and spend another 30 days and then we would apply for passport and bring Bella home by the end of the summer.

Obviously, none of that has happened. In fact, our papers are still in New Delhi and going on 100+ days now. The last several weeks we were notified of back log in paperwork in Delhi that was causing delays but that they would complete all backlogs by September 3oth and we remained hopeful as that day was quickly approaching... that our papers would be approved and we would move on to the next step.

But, September 30th had come and gone and we still had no approval. We've been notified of a remaining backlog of 550 adoption cases and they have now indicated that the pending adoption cases are projected to be cleared by December 31st 2011. We don't know where we stand in that 500+ adoption cases....but we are in there somewhere and now have no idea just how much longer this will take. Regardless, bringing Bella home by the years-end is fading quickly. It's looking more like it will be next year sometime. We are extremely disappointed to say the least.

On another note, over the course of the last couple of weeks I've been experiencing some serious difficulties (medical in nature) that by all means have proven to be nothing but spiritual warfare.
This attack from the enemy has drained me both physically and mentally to where at the end of the day I am weak and exhausted. I have been clinging to the LORD just to get through each day. I have experienced some extreme opposition to say the least.

This experience has me gathering thoughts on how these continued adoption delays could also be warfare related. It wouldn't surprise me. We've had all kinds of difficulties, road blocks and set backs along the way, but this time it just feels offensive. I was reading just last night a few other adoption blogs about how the enemy brought on extreme attacks during the home stretch of their adoptions. Similar situations such as ours were mentioned. I was even reminded of Russell Moore's statement,

“Adoption and orphan care is not charity; adoption and orphan care is not another denominational program. Adoption and orphan care is spiritual warfare, because adoption and orphan care is about Gospel and about mission.”

And that just about sums it all up. The enemy would like nothing more than to try and put an end to this adoption....or delay or discourage or distract. With all that said, I am asking you to please consider entering into some warfare praying for us and our Bella. At this point, there is no reason why she could not come home! We are ready, she is ready, her room is ready.....and travel expenses have been fully funded. (PTL) We just lack one thing......our DAUGHTER!

This is not to say that we think we know the best time for Bella's homecoming or that we are doubting God's perfect timing and sovereignty. By all means....HE KNOWS BEST! and we trust Him completely and know His plans and timing will not be thwarted or delayed. But at the same time we have a real enemy that would love to opposed us in every way with the Bringing Home of our "orphaned no more" daughter. SO.....I'm sensing the need to call on prayer warriors to join us in this battle to get our Bella HOME. And SOON!

This is going to take a miracle to make all this happen by the end of the year....but that is what we are hoping and praying for. And we KNOW that our BIG GOD is capable of the impossible. So, will you join us?

We desperately covet your prayers.

Some Bloggy-Changes

As we round the corner of this adoption and make our way to our sweet daughter Bella, I decided to update the blog a little..... and give it a new look!! I have also created a new blog "button". I would love it if you would grab the html code for our button and share it on your blog or website. We would love to invite as many that would like to join us on our journey and watch God continue to do AMAZING things as we bring our Bella HOME!!!

If you are receiving this post as an email you can click here to go to my updated blog. Bringing Justice Blog

**update**
We received news that "they" are still behind in processing adoption paper work. What should take about 15-30 days to process is taking 90+ days for us. We ask that you continue to pray for us as we wait for God's perfect timing to bring Bella home

Some really exciting news about what God is doing in the waiting and some new pictures of our girl to come SOON!

Football and Bella?

******Extension on sale is now Wednesday Sept. 21st!

Yeah...well this is the only time you'll see me blogging anything about football. :-) Thanks to some dear friends of ours.....they are helping us with our remaining adoption expenses. See info below.

Smoked Boston Butts for SALE
just in time for Football!

BIG FOOTBALL Weekend 9/24/11with 2 HOME games!

Alabama vs. Arkansas at Tuscaloosa

Auburn vs. Florida Atlantic at Auburn

Get game ready and pre-order a Smoked Boston Butt for your gathering or tailgate party!

$35 each or 2/$60

3-5 pounds after cooking

All proceeds will benefit the Wilbanks adoption of Bella

Jeff and Brittnie Wilbanks have been in the process of adopting their little girl, Bella, from India for 2 years. Please help them raise the remaining funds to bring her “little butt” home to Alabama. You can read more about their journey at www.bringingjustice.blogspot.com

Pickup times are Friday, September 23 at 6 pm or

Saturday, September 24 at noon at

Hoover Regions (the Met) RV Park

Contact Romin to order at romin@securethinking.com or 321-231-3364.

Cash or checks accepted at pickup

Plan your football weekend now!

Deadline to order is Wednesday, September 21st at Noon

Hosted by Romin and Audrey Hirschy/Travis and Anne Diggs

The New Site is up and "Running"!!

Friends,

I wanted to report that our turn out for our Charming Charlies fundraiser was a HUGE success. There are some ladies that are some SERIOUS accessory shoppers! What a fun day we had!! Thank you to all who came out to support us!

Also, I spoke again with our agency today and there is still "No News" on our paper work. We are all at a loss over this HUGE delay! At this point clearly the possibility of travel this summer is over. Now we are hoping at this point just to be there before Christmas. Disappointing, but we are still completely confident in God's plans for our family. They are GOOD plans!!

Lastly, In my last post, "Running for a Cause", I mentioned that I was working on a website to help get this "Runners for Bella" thing going. Well, the website is finally finished and up and "running"! You can click on the link and take a look around at the new site here. Runners for Bella

Also, you can find out those who are running for Bella. :-)

Running For A Cause

Calling all Runners:

Friends and family.....if you are a runner and/or know someone who is and would be interested in running for a cause.....then this info might be for you.

I'm looking for runners who are preparing to run in a upcoming fun-run, race or 1/2 marathon etc that would be willing to run for Bella. The plan would be simple. Share with your friends and family why you are running and call on them to donate toward your cause (Bella). Money would go directly to helping get the remaining funds in to bring our daughter home!

I'm currently working on a website that will allow you to have your own web link to share with friends so they can find out what you are doing and will allow them to donate directly on that page.

If you are interested in this or interested in putting together a "team" of runners that would like to run for Bella....please let me know. Please also send this blog to anyone that you know that might be interested.

Hoping to hold her soon,

This is going to be fun!

Friends,

So many of you continue to ask about where we stand with getting our sweet Bella home. As most of you know, we should have been to India and back already with our daughter. BUT...obviously that has not happened. There are some changes in India's adoption process and the changes are causing delays and backlogs in paper work. Well our paperwork is caught right in the middle of it all. We have NO idea at this point when our paperwork will be approved. So, we continue to wait. Honestly, I am at complete peace with this. God has just covered me in peace while we wait and I'm trusting in His sovereignty 100%. He knows what He is doing and when our little girl needs to be home for her benefit and ours. He LOVES her SO! I know He is holding her in complete peace as well. I just praise Him for His loving kindness.

In the mean time....we still continue to try and raise the remaining funds needed to bring our darling home. Still about $4,500 left to raise. We still have some adopted shirts left if you want one. But let me tell you about an exciting event coming this Saturday August 20th!! This is going to be fun! Charming Charlies in Bham is helping us raise money for Bella! Here are the details.

When: Saturday, August 20th

10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Where: Charming Charlies

216 Summit Blvd. Suite 130,

Birmingham, AL 35243

Come in and shop anytime on Saturday August 20th from 10am-9pm and tell them you are with the Wilbanks Adoption social. You will sign in and receive a bracelet indicating you are there to shop for our fundraiser and when you checkout 10% of your purchase will go toward bringing Bella home!

Haven’t heard of Charming Charlies? It's a ladies fashion accessory boutique. Go here for more info: http://www.charmingcharlie.com/home\

Isn't that neat?

Come out and see us Saturday.....and please help us spread the word. EVERYONE is invited!! The more the better!

Till she comes home,

Orphan Sunday 2011

I LOVE this video for Orphan Sunday!!! You gotta see it. Orphan Sunday is right around the corner.....coming Sunday November 6th. How can you serve the orphan? What is God calling YOU to do?

Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Why India?

About 10 years or more ago and without any rhyme or reason I fell in love with the people and place of India. I can’t explain exactly how it actually happened. It wasn’t over night but with in a short amount of time some how God birthed a love in my heart for India and it’s people.

As this love began to grow it just so happened that the church we were members of at the time had partnered with some mission teams in Karnataka, India. The staff and members of our church began to meet and learn about the people of Karnataka and the work that was to be done there and my love for India began to take shape. At the time I had little ones at home and did not feel led to actually travel at this point but stayed totally enthralled and connected through the work that was taking place.

Around the same time I had found an amazing ministry led by KP Yohannan, called GFA (Gospel for Asia). As I read what KP had to say about the people of his homeland and the statistics of India I began to get more of a glimpse of the vast lostness and darkness of this nation and how desperately they needed to hear about our Savior! In those moments, my heart was pierced and my love deepened.

When we moved to Alabama 5 years ago, Jeff connected with an old buddy from where he grew up and to our surprise, he was a missionary that traveled world wide and had been to India several times. Anxious and hopeful God would define my passion for India we had him over for a weekend visit. Our friend’s gifting and purpose for his mission trips was videography. So he brought to us not only stories and experiences of God’s work in India. He brought to us faces. Faces of the people who were so desperately seeking the ONE who created them in His image. Faces, so beautiful yet so empty and full of hopelessness.

This changed the whole thing for me. After our friend left, I watched the videos all over again and then wept for hours. I wept for the nation, I wept for the people… for the children….the many children on the streets, naked and rummaging though trash and living in slums. I wept over the look of brokenness and hopelessness. I just wept. I hadn’t’ known a hurt in my heart like that before. God’s heart. This is how He felt too.

So, how do I get there? And when? I tried to get to India by taking our missionary friends suggestion and jumping in with a group who were going back to India soon. I tried seeking out a couple of other opportunities to make a trip. But, no. God said not now. So I pushed the hold button. During that same time of heart ache I began to have dreams. Dreams about the people of India and the huge harvest out there and the workers who were so very few. All I could do was pray and ask God to show me why He had put this love in my heart and what He would have me do.

And then….exactly 2 years later….the LORD sent me a HUGE message. He flat out called us to “Bring Justice” to the orphan and oppressed and He showed us what do to. “Adopt”. "Adoption", such a simple word, but an enormous world. Where would we begin? From where would we adopt? We began to think and pray. So much need...how would we know? Where has God shown us the most need lately? God whispered, India. Yes....this is it!

After all these years….my hearts passion finally made sense. After years of a growing love for a people and a country….it was all coming together. We have a daughter in India. No, not a daughter. OUR daughter! God put a love in my heart for India because our daughter was there. This was ordained for us before the foundation of the world and He was revealing it to us now. Who can fathom this?

I don’t believe the story ends here. In fact, I know it doesn’t. So many other things we hope will come out of this for the people of India. Some things that are happening even now that will leave our hearts in India for quite some time….and some things that will come later. I can’t wait to share it with you all soon.

What has God put in your heart? Be patient and wait for it. He has great plans in store for you. All for your good and His great Name and Glory.

For the Fatherless,

Don’t miss these fun opportunities to win!
A Chance to Win.
Let's have some Fun!
and our Tshirt is still available here:
"Adopted" Tshirt

All helps us get our sweet girl home!